The “Made in Vietnam” certification is one of the key instruments for verifying the origin of Vietnamese goods, enhancing brand credibility, and expanding export opportunities. However, to obtain this certification, enterprises must strictly comply with legal procedures and prepare a complete application dossier in accordance with Vietnamese law.
This article, prepared by DNP Viet Nam Law Firm, provides a detailed legal guide on the procedures and documentation required for enterprises to proactively obtain the certification and safeguard their legitimate rights and interests.
1. What is the “Made in Vietnam” certification? When is a product recognized as “Made in Vietnam”?
Legal basis: Clause 4 Article 3 and Article 6 of Decree No. 31/2018/ND-CP.
- The “Made in Vietnam” certification is a certificate of origin (C/O) issued by a competent authority, confirming that a product is manufactured in Vietnam. It reflects the level of localization, rules of origin, tariff, and import–export conditions.
- A product is recognized as “Made in Vietnam” if it falls under one of the following categories:
- The goods are wholly obtained or produced in Vietnam (Article 7).
- The goods are not wholly obtained in Vietnam but satisfy the rules of origin criteria prescribed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (Article 8).
2. Eligible applicants
Legal basis: Clause 17 Article 3 of Decree No. 31/2018/ND-CP.
- Enterprises manufacturing goods in Vietnam;
- Enterprises exporting goods of Vietnamese origin;
- The legal representative of a manufacturer or exporter.
3. Application dossier for the “Made in Vietnam” certification
As of the date of this article, the certification procedure remains governed by Decree No. 31/2018/ND-CP. A draft amendment is under review but has not yet taken effect. Therefore, the information below reflects current regulations; readers should update once the amendment is officially issued.
Legal basis: Article 15 of Decree No. 31/2018/ND-CP.
3.1. Cases requiring submission of an application for C/O:
- First-time application for C/O issuance;
- First-time export of a new product;
- Products with changes in manufacturing norms, HS codes, value, or source of materials compared to previous applications.
3.2. Required documents:
- Application form for the Certificate of Origin (Form No. 04 attached to the Decree);
- Completed C/O form;
- Export customs declaration (printed copy). This document may be omitted if the goods are not subject to customs declaration;
- Commercial invoice (copy certified by the trader);
- Bill of lading or equivalent transport document (certified copy). This may be omitted if the delivery form does not require such documents;
- Detailed list of exported goods meeting preferential or non-preferential origin criteria (as per the Ministry of Industry and Trade template);
- Declaration of origin from the domestic manufacturer or supplier, if local materials are used in production;
- Production process of the goods (certified copy by the trader);
- Supplementary documents (if required), such as: import customs declaration for raw materials, domestic purchase contracts or invoices, export license (if any), and other documents evidencing product origin.
- When necessary, the issuing authority may conduct an on-site inspection at the manufacturing facility before granting the certificate.
4. Certification procedure
Legal basis: Article 16 of Decree No. 31/2018/ND-CP.
Step 1: Register trader profile
- First-time applicants must register their trader profile with the authority or organization authorized to issue certificates of origin. The trader profile must be complete and valid as prescribed in Article 13 of the Decree.
Step 2: Submit application for C/O issuance
- Applications may be submitted electronically via the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Electronic C/O Management and Issuance System at https://ecosys.gov.vn, or via the online portals of authorized agencies.
Step 3: C/O issuance and result notification
- Traders attach certified electronic documents with digital signatures; hard copies are not required at this stage.
- Within 06 working hours after receiving a valid dossier, the authority will notify the review result on the system.
- After the trader submits the completed paper C/O, the authority issues the physical certificate within 02 working hours.
“The above content is provided by DNP Viet Nam Law Firm for reference purposes only. For detailed, accurate, and tailored legal advice that meets your specific needs, please contact us using the information provided below.”
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